Let's compare scriptures.
Well, the Greek “aion” can be described mostly as of the time. This could be a primary meaning after all but it could be also referred to as the physical world or the universe. It would be leaning towards the Platonic idea that “aion” is only meant for an age or a period, time. Of course, scripture is of no private interpretation.
Heb 1:2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;
Hebrews 11;3 speaks of this world (aion) that God made which is equivalent to kosmos as being framed or set in order, being re-arranged for beauty.
Heb 11:3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.
Now, “this world” 2 Cor. 4:4 is understandably referring to the world that is as “earthly” v.7 in nature, the body, the mortal flesh being a part of this world, created or made out of the dust and not the age or time.
2Co 4:7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.
We are in agreement that the scriptures are of no private interpretation, but by claiming that the word "aion" is equivalent to "kosmos", that is exactly what you are doing. The word "aion" has nothing to do with describing this physical earth, that is why God uses the word "kosmos" and no where does he tie those two words together. So, why would you do that based on misunderstanding Heb 1:2 and Heb 11:3? You are reading these verses as if though "ages", doesn't and couldn't possibly fit in those verses. Instead, once again, you are relying on what the translators wrote and then taking it at face value. As long as you continue to do that, you will continue to be out of sink with the truth of the scriptures. It seems as though you are reaching to whatever seems like it agrees with your position regarding who truly is the "God of this world". I wish I could do more to explain it clearer.
Hebrews 1:1–2 (KJV 1900)
God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, 2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds (the ages):
God established the ages as a division of generations, or of time in order to reveal his Word and his truths to mankind in stages.
Hebrews 11:1–3 (KJV 1900)
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 2 For by it the elders obtained a good report. 3 Through faith we understand that the worlds (the ages) were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.
Ephesians 3:4–5 (KJV 1900)
Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) 5 Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;
Ephesians 2:7 (KJV 1900)
That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
Colossians 1:26 (KJV 1900)
Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:
The purpose of using God's word as a dictionary is for it to instruct us in how we are to understand the way
God defines his words, not the way we choose understand them. The
ages (not the physical worlds) were "framed" (made perfect). In other words, "
Through faith (meaning, through
Christ, as he is our faith)
we understand that the ages were made perfect by the word of God". Now the context of the chapter will explain what God means by what he just said, and we can see that it has nothing to do with the creation or perfection
of this physical world, but rather the perfection (salvation) of the saints
at each stage of the ages, by the word of God. He begins with Abel's age (generation), then Enoch's, then Noah's. All these men lived in separate ages (generations). And as God saved each one of his elect throughout the ages, then the ages were "
made perfect". God made
the ages for these specific reasons.
Also, the only way we can conjugate two words in the Bible as having the same meaning is only if God does it himself first. For example:
Matthew 4:8 (KJV 1900)
Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world (kosmos ), and the glory of them;
Luke 4:5 (KJV 1900)
And the devil, taking him up into an high mountain, shewed unto him all the kingdoms of the world (oikoumenē ) in a moment of time.
In the same exact account, God records two Greek words to describe the same thing, this physical world. This allows us to study both words in light of all their contexts, as one word. And it allows us to declare with biblical authority that
(kosmos ) and
(oikoumenē) can be understood as the same words. But we have no biblical authority to do that with
(aion) and
(kosmos ) or
(oikoumenē).
Thank you for taking the time to dialogue with me.
